Barlborough: 17-year-old can fly before he can drive

A Barlborough teeanger who can’t yet drive a car can now fly a plane after getting his private pilots licence.
Aaron Barlow, 16, has gained his private pilot's licence at Sheffield Aero Club. Aaron is pictured with flight instructor Chris Black G131106-3bAaron Barlow, 16, has gained his private pilot's licence at Sheffield Aero Club. Aaron is pictured with flight instructor Chris Black G131106-3b
Aaron Barlow, 16, has gained his private pilot's licence at Sheffield Aero Club. Aaron is pictured with flight instructor Chris Black G131106-3b

Aaron Barlow, 17, from Barlborough is one of the youngest people in the country to obtain a private pilots licence.

Aaron started training at the Aero Club in Sheffield last year.

On obtaining his licence Aaron said: “I’m really happy about it.”

“I‘m really grateful to my instructor at the Sheffield Aero Club because he has given up a lot of his time to work with me and he is always giving me advice.”

“I am now going to try and get my commercial licence and then I want to try and get a job in aviation.”

“I already have a part time job at the airfield but I want to be flying.”

“I did my skills test when I was 16 years old but got my licence when I was 17.”

“A lot of people say that it is crazy that I can fly before I can drive.”

Aaron’s flight instructor, Chris Black, said: “He went on his first solo flight on his 16th birthday which was 1st November 2012.”

“He has been with me since that point and I have taken him through his training right up to him getting his private pilots licence.”

Chris explained that the minimum age for obtaining your private pilots licence is 17 years old.

Chris said: “The course to get your licence is 45 hours minimum and he is now one of the youngest people in the country to hold a private pilots licence.”

“We are thrilled.”

Aaron is also studying for his A Levels and is taking ICT, Geogrpahy and Psychology.